Smoking prevalence and related deaths are far lower in communities that have taken the most concrete steps to prevent tobacco use among individuals and in public places, according to researchers.

Researcher Gary Giovino, Ph.D., of the University of Buffalo’s School of Public Health and Health Professions unveiled findings from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s report, Cigarette Smoking Prevalence and Policies in the 50 States (PDF), at the recent National Conference on Tobacco or Health. The report includes localized data on smoking behaviors in all 50 U.S. states.

“States can reduce death and disease by reducing smoking prevalence. It’s that simple,” said Giovino. “There is wide variation in cigarette smoking prevalence across states and a clear relationship between smoking prevalence and the rate of mortality that can be attributed to smoking.”

The report noted, for example, that the smoking rate among 18- to 29-year-olds in Kentucky is 2.5 times higher than in California, one of the national leaders in smoking prevention. Researchers found that in the states with the lowest levels of smoking, even those who continued to smoke were less likely to be dependent on cigarettes and more likely to want to quit.

Giovino cited a correlation between high cigarette taxes and decreased smoking rates but said that despite rising tax revenues, many states are slashing funding for cessation programs. “The percentage of resources available to states from cigarette excise taxes and settlement payments that is dedicated to tobacco prevention and cessation is dwindling,” said Giovino. “This is a tragic development.”

“States should feel morally obligated to use a higher proportion of the revenues they receive from cigarette excise taxes and settlement payments to prevent smoking initiation, protect nonsmokers and help people who smoke to quit. Strong tobacco control programs save lives,” Giovino added.

The report was issued by the ImpacTeen project, part of Bridging the Gap, a RWJF-funded research program committed to improving understanding of policies and environmental factors that affect diet, physical activity, obesity among youth, and youth tobacco use.